All,Do we have the right to ban whomever we choose from using our forums, legally?

I realize the participants of this UBB forum aren't prepared to give me legal advice, I'm just wondering if you've dealt with a similar situation, and what your opinion is.

Like any active forums there are times when a registered member becomes such a pain in the butt we have to give thema time out. And if they continue, we ban them, which is to say they can still see the posts on our forums but they can no longer participate.

Every once in a while I get a member who threatens me (what they think is blackmail, or sometimes even physical threats).

The latest problem member has urged his friends to try to convince me to lift the ban (mind you this is the second time he's been banned, we did give him another chance). My reply was that the piano forums were like inviting someone into my home, and that I had the right to tell him to leave. The "friend" claims because we sell advertising on our forums it is a business, not my home, and we can't just throw anyone out because we want to.

It's true we do sell advertising, but membership in our forums is free.I maintain I have the right to ban anyone I want for any reason, or even for no reason.

Unless you're running a site as a government entity you have every right to do as you wish; same for "freedom of speech".

(I'm still on vacation, just stopping by)

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